Ramadan taraweeh, Eid prayers to be held at home, Saudi Grand Mufti says

Ramadan communal taraweeh and Eid prayers should be held at home due to the coronavirus, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia said, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

The announcement was made on Friday, one week before the Muslim holy month is estimated to begin.

The Kingdom’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh said group taraweeh evening prayers will not be held in mosques this year in accordance with precautionary measures implemented to slow the spread of the virus.

If the outbreak continues through the holy month, communal Eid al-Fitr prayers should also be held at home, he added. Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday in which Muslims mark the end of the month of Ramadan.